Superelastic Orthodontic Gripper for Arch Wire Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic arch wire stops suffer from handling difficulties, bulkiness, irritation to soft tissue, food trapping, and slippage issues, making them challenging to deploy and maintain in the mouth.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic gripping device made of superelastic or shape memory materials with resilient arm portions that deflect to securely engage the arch wire, providing enhanced gripping force and resistance to displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional arch wire stops are made small in size, then they are easier to place in the mouth, but they become difficult to handle and deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The arch wire stop incorporates a movable closure member that can be opened and closed. The closure member is biased by a spring to remain closed, automatically clamping the arch wire when inserted. This dynamic mechanism allows the stop to maintain a compact size while providing easy operation through automatic clamping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded closure member automatically engages and clamps the arch wire without requiring manual adjustment or additional操作步骤. The device serves itself by using the insertion force to trigger the automatic closing action, eliminating the need for complex manual handling procedures.
2Ease of operation
If conventional arch wire stops are made bulky, then they are easier to handle, but they irritate soft tissue and trap food
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member moves between open and closed positions, allowing the arch wire to be inserted when open and then automatically clamped when closed. This dynamic action enables the use of smaller, less intrusive stops that still provide secure retention, eliminating the need for bulky structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is designed with a specific geometry that allows it to clamp the arch wire effectively while minimizing contact with surrounding soft tissues. The localized clamping action concentrates the gripping force on the arch wire rather than distributing it broadly, reducing irritation to adjacent tissues.
3Device complexity
If conventional arch wire stops use friction to retain the arch wire, then they can be simple in structure, but they allow slippage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded closure member provides continuous clamping force on the arch wire, maintaining constant pressure to prevent slippage. This dynamic retention mechanism is more reliable than static friction-based designs, as it actively maintains grip strength over time rather than relying on passive friction that degrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is pre-loaded with spring force that immediately engages the arch wire upon insertion. This preliminary clamping action establishes secure retention from the moment of insertion, preventing slippage before it can occur, rather than relying on friction that may gradually fail.
4Ease of operation
If conventional arch wire stops allow easy insertion, then they are simple to deploy, but they lack secure retention of the arch wire
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member transitions from an open state during insertion to a closed clamping state during retention. The spring mechanism automatically switches between these states, providing easy insertion when the closure member is open and secure retention when it closes, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member serves dual functions: it acts as a guide during insertion and as a clamping element for retention. This multi-functionality allows a single component to provide both easy insertion and secure retention, eliminating the need for separate insertion aids and retention mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device offers easy handling, reduces irritation, minimizes slippage, and ensures secure attachment of the arch wire, improving orthodontic treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other when the arch wire is admitted through the entranceway into the arch wire receiving station
Implementation Method 2
An orthodontic gripping device made of superelastic or shape memory materials with resilient arm portions that deflect to securely engage the arch wire
Implementation Method 3
An orthodontic gripping device made of superelastic or shape memory materials with resilient arm portions that deflect to securely engage the arch wire
Implementation Method 4
The first and second inner gripping surfaces engage the arch wire and apply opposing gripping forces against the arch wire so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.